LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice

95% OF OUR LAW STUDENTS WERE SATISFIED WITH THEIR COURSE NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2019

This law degree option allows you to study law as your main subject, enabling you to develop legal knowledge and skills, and combine this with study in criminology and criminal justice.

This major course is recognised as a qualifying law degree (QLD) for professional purposes in the UK. This means it is recognised as a qualifying law degree for professional purposes of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and The Bar Standards Board. This means it satisfies the academic stage of training set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board for progression to the vocational stage – either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to become a solicitor or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) to become a barrister.

Many students combine law with another subject because it provides broader career options, while still being a qualifying law degree. Two thirds of your time will be devoted to studying law and one third for criminology. See more about our Criminology course.

The LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice course comprises two thirds law and one third criminology and criminal justice. This makes for a stimulating programme of study and will broaden your range of career options upon graduation.

Year One: Law with Criminology Degree

Law modules:

Public Law

Criminal Law

Legal Skills

Legal Systems and Sources

Criminology and Criminal Justice modules:

Understanding Crime, Victims and Society

Understanding Criminal Justice

Year Two: Law with Criminology Degree

Law modules:

Law on Trial

Contract and Problem Solving

Tort and Transactional Learning

Land Law

Criminology and Criminal Justice modules:

Policing

Penology: Prisons, Punishment and Offender Management

Year Three: Law with Criminology Degree

Law modules:

Law of the European Union.

Equity and the Law of Trusts

Two optional law modules

Criminology and Criminal Justice modules:

Comparative Criminology

Criminology option module

Subject to revalidation from 2021This course is subject to revalidation, this means it is under review as part of the University’s standard quality assurance and enhancement processes. Course and module content is indicative and may change through the revalidation process. As soon as the course is revalidated, the details will be confirmed and published on the University website. In the unlikely event the course does not go ahead as planned, or is significantly amended, we will write to inform you. If this happens, we’ll help you to find a suitable alternative course either at USW or at another provider.

Teaching

Our teaching is informed by actual practice and our modules reflect real-life trends. Formal teaching methods range from the traditional large-group lecture to more clinical legal education and online simulations. Lectures serve as a basic introduction to subjects and are intended to provide the framework to enable you to carry out further in-depth study. You will also have tutorials, which take place in smaller groups to provide a forum for more detailed discussion and debate on assignments that you will have prepared in advance. In addition to these contact hours you will be expected to undertake a substantial amount of private study.

We have an active Student Law Society, with activities that include mooting and debating in our state-of-the-art Moot Court. The Law Society have previously entered national competitions.

A number of part-time study options are also available, providing an attractive alternative for anyone interested in the legal field. Study for the part-time degree is over a maximum six-year period.

Research-informed teaching

Law lecturers engage in a variety of research activities which result in the presentation of papers at conferences, the publication of journal articles and textbooks. All our areas of research feed directly into your studies, so you will benefit from a cutting-edge curriculum that is taught by staff who are at the forefront of their subject area.

You will be taught by leading Criminologists who are actively involved in Criminology research. We also have expert, practitioner guest speakers on a number of criminology modules and encourage students to attend British Society of Criminology (Wales and West) branch talks.

Assessment

Assessments include self, peer and tutor assessment, written coursework, portfolio, written exercises, in-class work, and examinations.

Placements

If you opt to undertake the optional work based learning module, you could gain experience in the workplace or in our Legal Advice Clinic. We have extensive links with some 40 firms and legal departments of local authorities. So you could acquire valuable professional skills and business contacts which can often lead to full-time employment.

Facilities

Facilities include a mock moot courtroom with state-of-the-art technology. Here, you can hone your advocacy skills in a realistic environment and build confidence in a courtroom setting. Not only will you gain the knowledge, skills and values that employers want, but you will also use the latest technology and practitioner-standard databases to prepare for a successful career.

The entry criteria below shows the qualification range within which the University will make offers. Most offers we make are at the top of the range, but we take all aspects of an application into consideration and applicants receive a personalised offer. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable.

Please note that whilst this course does not require a DBS Check for entry, some professions will not consider candidates who have certain types of criminal convictions. Therefore, if you have a criminal conviction and you are considering a particular career path we would recommend that you check with the relevant professional body or refer to their recruitment policy to make sure that your conviction will not disadvantage you.

Typical A-Level Offer

BCC - CDD (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Welsh BACC Offer

Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical BTEC Offer

Typical IB Offer

Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level

Typical Access to HE Offer

Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

International Entry Requirements

We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.

English Requirements

In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August
2020
- July
2021
Fees

Full-time UK and EU:
£9000

Full-time International:
£13200

Part-time UK and EU:
£680
per 20 credits

August
2021
- July
2022
Fees

Full-time UK and EU: TBC

Full-time International: TBC

Part-time UK and EU: TBC

Additional Costs

Students have access to a wide range of resources including textbooks, publications, and computers in the University’s library and via online resources. In most cases they are more than sufficient to complete a course of study. Where there are additional costs, either obligatory or optional, these are detailed below. Of course students may choose to purchase their own additional personal resources/tools over and above those listed to support their studies at their own expense. All stationery and printing costs are at a student’s own expense.

*
Obligatory

Item

Cost

Placement expenses: Work placement module as part of second year studies

Students must undertake a period of work placement. Student's undertaking placement may incur costs associated with travel and expected workplace attire will vary according to the placement.

UK and EU students

Apply via UCAS if you are a UK/EU residing applicant, applying for year one of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.

International students

The Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice degree will appeal to those wishing to work in the criminal justice field, either as qualified lawyers or in a range of other possible careers including in the police and prison services or protection and victim support services.

In addition to specific knowledge of the law and its applications in the real world, you will gain a vast range of transferable skills such as the ability to communicate effectively, retrieve and handle information competently, analyse and solve problems, and have the confidence to present logical, reasoned arguments. Such emphasis on the acquisition of skills means that our graduates are well-equipped for the challenges of the workplace.

Our Careers and Employability Service

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.

Highlight Stories

Part-time

Full-time

The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.